David Welsh Joins the Downtown Denver Partnership as the Executive Vice President of Economic Development and Real Estate

Economic development veteran will drive forward a bold economic agenda for Downtown Denver  

The Downtown Denver Partnership announced today that David Welsh will step into the role of Executive Vice President of Economic Development and Real Estate.

David brings more than 30 years of experience in regional and urban economic development. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sun Corridor Inc., now the Chamber of Southern Arizona, where he led business recruitment and expansion efforts that generated significant job growth and capital investment. Earlier roles include executive leadership at Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Director of Economic Development for the Town of Oro Valley, and founding leadership of regional business organizations in the Pacific Northwest. 

"We're thrilled to welcome David Welsh to lead our economic development work and elevate Downtown Denver as the place to do business on a national platform," said Kourtny Garrett, President and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. "David’s more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of economic development, real estate, and public-private partnership is exactly the combination of disciplines downtown needs right now. His work leading business recruitment and expansion at Sun Corridor Inc. produced measurable results, and his ability to align developers, employers, investors, and civic leaders around shared economic goals is precisely what this role demands. This hire reflects our intensified focus on downtown's economic future, and we're confident David will help drive the bold initiatives and meaningful partnerships that continue to position Downtown Denver for its next chapter of growth." 

As Executive Vice President of Economic Development, David will lead the Partnership's efforts to attract and retain businesses, jobs and investment in Downtown Denver. Drawing on expertise in real estate development and finance, public-private partnerships, and capital markets, David will work to move development projects from concept to completion, connect the business and investment community to downtown opportunities, and serve as a key advocate for policies that support downtown's long-term economic vitality. David will also oversee business recruitment and retention strategies, engage with developers, brokers, and lenders to support the real estate pipeline, and contribute as a senior member of the Partnership's executive leadership team. 

"Downtown Denver has long been a market I've watched closely and genuinely admired. To now have the opportunity to contribute to that work is something I don't take lightly. Economic development is most powerful when the right partners are aligned around a shared agenda, and what I see in Downtown Denver – the caliber of the private sector, the strength of the public-private relationships, and the momentum already in motion – gives me tremendous confidence in what's ahead. I'm eager to get to work." 

The Downtown Denver Partnership drives market-based economic development strategies spanning job and investment growth, research and market analysis, business recruitment and retention, and long-range planning across mobility, housing, and retail. Through active collaboration with public agencies, private sector partners, and a network of brokers, lenders and business owners, the Partnership develops policies, public-private partnerships, and financial solutions that move impactful projects forward. This work is further guided by the Partnership’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, whose expertise and civic leadership help shape the Partnership's economic development priorities. 

"With the Partnership’s Economic Development Committee sharpening its focus on real estate activation and business investment, David's hire deepens our capacity to deliver on that agenda," said Amy Cara, Denver Managing Partner at East West Partners and Chair of the Downtown Denver Partnership's Economic Development Advisory Committee. "From a private sector perspective, what stands out about David is his ability to bring developers, investors, and civic stakeholders to the same table and actually get things done. I'm looking forward to working alongside him to advance the kind of bold, market-driven strategies that will define downtown's future." 

David Welsh holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder. He serves on the board of Arizona Capital Source Corporation and as an advisor to ZelosDx.